7 Practical Ways to Commute-Proof Your Makeup

As if wading through traffic wasn't difficult enough, our country's weather is always bent on melting off your makeup. Thankfully, every beauty-loving commuter isn't entirely hopeless, because there are a ton of tricks you can use to protect your done-up face. Below are our tried-and-tested hacks!

1. Use lightweight, non-sticky skin care products.As fun as layering skin care products can be, it's not wise to go overboard right before your morning commute. Because yes, there is such a thing as being too moisturized when your non-airconditioned ride isn't moving fast enough to have air blow in from the windows. If you have oily skin, stick to products that are lightweight to ensure they're absorbed by your skin before you hop inside the MRT. Anything that leaves your skin tacky to the touch is immediately out.

In my case, my must-haves include an alcohol-free toner, an oil-free gel moisturizer, and a lightweight sunscreen. These give my dehydrated and oily skin ample moisture to get through the day without making my foundation slide off. I make it up to my skin in the evening by applying the rest of my face oils and heavy creams before bed.

2. Apply sunscreen.Standing under the merciless morning sun is a serious part of commuting. Always apply sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 to avoid getting sunburned or developing a skin irritation while you're on the road. FYI, sunscreen works well as a makeup base or primer, too! A tinted one can even give you a bit of coverage or color correction so you can skip foundation altogether. That, and it will stop your acne scars from darkening as you wait for your ride.

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3. Always powder your face.Imagining the amount of dirt we're exposed to during our commute is dizzying, so the least we can do is protect our skin against it in some way. For one, setting your face with powder will lessen your chances of being a dirt magnet while locking in your blush, foundation, and the rest of your makeup. That's because most specks of dirt (sometimes sweat, too!) will bounce right off a non-sticky, well-powdered base, which is exactly what you want to happen.

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4. Set your brows.Sometimes, even longwearing brow pencils are no match for the melting powers of sweat. On a hot day, you might leave the house with a full brow and arrive to your destination with only half. Our advice? Always use something waterproof or longwearing like a brow gel or brow pomade to help your arches beat the heat. That way, you'll only have to blot with a tissue once you reach your destination.

5. Try a setting spray.Not to sound like a broken record, but setting sprays are truly hairspray for your face. You can give yourself a thorough spritz after powder to seal everything in twice. Or, you can use it as an alternative to powder if you're not into the matte look!

6. Don't leave the house without a pack of tissues.The unpredictable weather in this country merits extra safety measures. Some days are just more humid than others, which is why it's important to be armed with tissues 24/7 to help you fight off sweat and oil. If you're on your way to an important meeting, it's a good tool that will leave you looking as fresh as you did when you left the house.

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7. Bring a portable fan.You can roll your eyes at this tip all you want, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. Positioning a portable fan in front of your face as your vehicle wades through traffic will keep your skin from sweating. (Plus, it's just naturally refreshing!)